Judge Menahem Mizrahi ruled that the police must return the calls taken from Netnyahu’s aide Yonatan Urich in the ongoing “Qatargate” investigation.
Judge of the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court Menahem Mizrahi ordered the Israeli police to return to “Qatargate” the accused Uratan Urich who is in charge of conferences in Qatari influences because of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Police are expected to appeal the decision to the Lodi District Court.
When he heard about this matter on Sunday, the investigators informed the court that “extraction and hacking failed two, and the third model is not accessible.” The police asked for a 180-day extension to clean up the devices.
Asked by Mizrahi why the police still need to intercept calls if they do not come in, the police representatives replied that its hacking software is being updated, when the software has not been activated in the past, once the software has been updated.
Mizrahi denied the police’s request to keep the calls, calling the decision, “The easiest I’ve ever made,” and adding that he was aware of the request for evidence support, which was a form of post-confidential request.
Sunday’s hearing followed a request by Israeli police last month to extend the seizure of the devices.
Yonatan Urich, arrested in the so-called Qatargate investigation, arrives at a court hearing in Lod, August 19, 2025. (Credit: Jonathan Shaul / Flash90)
“Qatargargate” centers on the claims of Urich, the Aide to Netanyahu, and El Feldstein, the spokesman for the military in the Prime Minister’s office, promoting the interests of QATAR during their employment in the PMO. In each report, Feldstein received payments from an Israeli businessman acting as an intermediary between Qatar and Israel. Feldstein’s lawyers said the funds were for strategic communications and communications services provided by Netanyahu’s office, and that Feldstein was unaware of any direct connections to Qatar.
Concerns about conflicts of interest
Both Feldstein and Urich were arrested and questioned by authorities in March. The investigation revealed that the company acting on behalf of Qatar contacted Urich to improve the image of Qatar, especially in relation to the administration negotiations – as he named the negotiations between Israel and Hamas – and they made payments to Feldstein. The suspects face charges related to contacting a foreign agent, money laundering, and breach of trust.
The investigation raised serious concerns about conflicts of interest and the integrity of public office, especially in relation to transparency in the use of funds and the influence of foreign organizations in Israeli affairs.
Feldstein and Urich were arrested and later released from house arrest under restricted conditions. Recently, the District Court of Lodi appealed the decision of the Magistrate’s Court, the decision that Urich must remain prohibited from working with Tetanyahu under the limited conditions imposed on him. Another suspect is Netanyahu’s former adviser, Israel Einhorn.
